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VERSE: Gn45-23b


RASHIS COVERED: Gn45-23b Gn45-23c Gn45-23d


COMMENT:
=======
This is posting #5 in our series on the difference between Dr
Hendel and Dr Leibowitz.


RULE
====
We have explained at great length in our example series
that there are two types of Rashis
---Rashis based on Grammar, problems, or word meanings
---Rashis based on context and literary development

More specifically if the Bible repeats some theme 3 or
more times then the principle of CLIMAX demands that
these items be interpreted in a CLIMACTIC MANNER.

In other words it is wrong to derive what Rashi says
from special words, grammar or nuances; rather Rashi is
deriving meaning solely from the CLIMACTIC INTERPRETATION
in and of itself.

In our example series we have shown how this principle
is implied in the principles of Rabbi Ishmael. You can
find the example series at the following URLS
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/example9.htm (replace 9 by 1-9)

Let us see an example to clarify ths.


EXAMPLE
=======
Gn45-23 discusses how Joseph sent his father food.

The actual verse says that Joseph sent Jacob
--goodies
--grain
--bread
--cooked items



The principle of >CLIMAX< demands that these 4 items be
interpreted as a progression in courses at a meal.
The simplest such interpretation is the following



{LIST}
Perception of the 4 food items in Gn45-23 as 4 stages
in the development of a meal
=========================================================
ITEM         PLACE IN MEAL        EXAMPLES FROM THE MIDRASH
=======      ==================   =========================
Goodies      Entree to a meal     Wine, Beans, Dainties*1
Grain*2      Porridge/Soup
Bread*3      Mainstay of meal
Cooked items Side dishes          Cooked fruit/vegatables*4

NOTES
=====
*1 In other words I am suggesting that the core idea is
   that >GOODIES< refers to an >ENTREE<. Here are some
   specific suggestions brought by Rashi & commentators
   --Old wine (Rashi)
   --Beans because they are rare (YFay Toar MidrashRabbah 94:2)
   --Beans because they calm you (Matnoth Kehuna MRabbah 94:2)
   --Beans because they are dainties(MHarzu MRabbah 94:2)

   Each of the commentaries mentioned brings sources to
   defend the stated properties of beans(dainties, calming,rare)

   The important point is not to approach this using the idea
   of controversy. Rather the important point is to approach
   this using the idea of COMMONALITY--all 4 interpretations
   have in common the idea of ENTREE. Indeed an ENTREE is
   either
   --wine
   --something rare
   --something yummy and good
   --something calming

   In terms of the difference in approach between Hendel and
   Leibowitz you will note that the emphasis above is on one
   correct interpretation--the entree. The Leibowitz approach
   emphasizes more plurality of opinion and controversy. To
   a certain extent these two approaches complement each other
   but it is important to emphasize the common item to all
   interpretations


*2 The Midrash brings the concept of Porridge---grain cooked
   in water---in connection with the 4th item in the list of
   foods sent by Joseph to Jacob

   I contend that this is out of place and that Porridge
   would go well with the second item in the above list of 4
   since Porridge is made with grain, the second item on
   the list.

   I also note that the Mharzu, a commentator on the
   Midrash Rabbah 94:2 points out that there is an
   error in the text of the Midrash Rabbah since porridge
   could not, as the Midrash states, be an example of
   something that you dont say the blessing for MZONOTH
   on, since everyone agrees that porridge has the same
   status as cookies and cake.

   Although MHarzu brings this error he does not suggest
   a correction. I believe my suggested correction works
   well.

   In summary the second item on the list is >GRAIN< and
   I am suggesting that this refers to >PORRIDGE<


*3 Normally the word >BREAD< can generically refer to any food,
   not just to bread; However because of the principle
   of >CLIMAX< we take the word >BREAD< in this verse to
   refer >SPECIFICALLY< to >BREAD< (This point is explicitly
   made by the YFay Toar on Midrash Rabbah 94:2)

   For a list of Rashis that state that >BREAD< can refer
   to >ANY GENERIC FOOD< see
   http://www.RashiYomi.Com/lv21-18b.htm



*4 There are many controversies on this text.
   I have already discussed the Porridge problem above
   Here are some of the suggestions for the reference
   of the 4th item on the list.

   --The Aramaic translation suggests >ZVD< which means
     >BOILED ITEMS<


   --The MTNOTH KEHUNAH on Midrash Rabbah makes a suggestion
     of fruit.

   My own suggestion is that the Midrash is referring to
   >COOKED FRUIT or COOKED VEGATABLES<. This translation
   --would be consistent with the Aramaic
   --would be consistent with the MTNOTH KEHUNA
   --and would solve the porridge problem by amending the
     description of porridge from >grain cooked in water<
     to >fruit or vegetables cooked in water<
{END OF LIST}


SUPPORT FOR THE LIST FROM THE RAMBAM
====================================
Finally I can strengthen this interpretation of the list of
4 food items by comparing it with the list of foods that
a husband must supply his wife with. The Rambam in the laws
of marriage Chapter 12 Paragraph 10 lists the following foods
which a husband is obligated to provide his wife
---bread
---beans or vegetables
---wine, oil or fruit


Based on this Rambam we would extend the definition of >GOODIES<
mentioned in Gn45-23 to include not only wine but also eg
salads (oil,fruit and vegetables).



SUPPORT FOR THE LIST FROM SCIENCE
=================================
Finally I mention scientific support for our LIST. The most
advanced diet today is the DASH diet which consists of
bread, fruits and vegetables with occasional supplementation
by beans and nuts and milk products.


FINAL COMMENTS
==============
As we look over the list of words in Gn45-23
---goodies
---grain
---bread
---cooked items
we see that the method we used to interpret these items
had little to do with Hebrew or grammar. Rather we used our
knowledge of meals to correlate the stages of a meal with
the words in the LIST of the verse. This approach is the essence
of the method of CLIMAX. The method of CLIMAX is a CONTENT
oriented method not a grammatical method and hence it
differs from the classical approaches to Rashi

RASHI RULE USED: EXAMPLE9
---------------------------------------------------
WARNING: The following additional references may be too wordy
However they frequently contain additional information & lists
The hyperlinks only work on the main website

Volume 8 Number 18


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